Replacement battery local availability '12 E82

[Ursan]

I'm just starting to get a warning that it's time to replace my battery.

Other than OEM, what's locally available for these cars?

We have Napa, Autozone, Interstate, CAP, etc. I know that there are only a small handful of battery 12v lead-acid car battery manufacturer companies, but I wanted a decent unit that should last 4+ years.

Online purchasing seems right out as shipping on a 22+ Kg battery pricey and OEM is way out there.

Does anyone have experience with Odyssey batteries?

Suggestions?

Also, the groups seem to be 48, 49, and 94R. (H6, H7, or H8) But it seems that the e82 can accommodate any of them. True? Though I'm just going to get the same size that I have now.

[Thunderguts]

I've had two Odyssey batteries in other cars. One was a very lightweight 680 that performed better and lasted far longer than I expected. The second one was a full size that crapped out in less than a year. It lost a cell and wouldn't charge above about 10.8V. It was clearly a manufacturing defect, but my only recourse was to pay $60 to ship it back to them to decide if they wanted to cover it or not.

I've used Optima Yellow/Red tops in three other cars and always gotten great results. They do make one that will fit the E82, but it's smaller than the stock battery so you need to make sure you secure it properly.

Really, any quality battery will last you 4 years, much more if you get a battery tender or drive it regularly.

[tracer bullet]

I'm thinking ours are AGM, but still agree that there's not so many manufacturers but a million labels.

Mine had an H6 stock, it always did the job. I looked at and though it fit, it was super tight and hard to get in place. For me specifically that meant my extra amp wires were going to have to move so I skipped it. H7 seemed a good in-between to get some extra capacity but not cause a fitment headache. I'm in MN and figured a little bigger was better even though again the H6 was great. Stocker went nearly 10 years before I replaced it on principal, just started thinking it would strand me somewhere someday.

All 3 sizes do indeed fit, there's a bracket mounting spot for each.

I did an Autozone battery, because I somehow ended up on their mailing list and always get coupons for 20, 25% off.

[blue135]

Just be sure to register/or code as required.
I went to Interstate on recommendation of the shop I use. Only had it in since 2018 so too early for real feedback,

[BMWCCA1]

I replaced the original battery in my 2013 128i within the past few months. That's over eight-years on the original BMW battery. So, logically, I replaced it with a BMW replacement battery which was larger but was actually cheaper than any local non-BMW replacement. Now I do work for a dealership but their parts markup isn't all that high and I'm supposed to be getting 10% over dealer cost. There should be plenty of dealerships around you. See which one offers the best price with a BMW Club discount on the correct battery for your car. I believe I paid around $125 and they still made money on me.

[blue135]

$125....Beats the $180 I paid Autozone for my truck battery this month. And on top of that, I only got about 5 years each out of the first two. Got 9 years out of my E88 battery.

[NorthernDancer]

This coming July my 08 will be 12 yrs old. Still original battery. Sits on a Deltran for 4-5 months every winter.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

This coming July my 08 will be 12 yrs old. Still original battery. Sits on a Deltran for 4-5 months every winter.

Are you certain it's not 13 years old in July? I also have an '08 (production date Feb 2008), which means it will be 13 years old next month.

Still has the original battery. I trickle charge it overnight once a week as I hardly drive it much- what with Covid and whatnot Pandemic travel restrictions and 'do not visit anyone, anywhere' rules in effect.

The last time I had the car in the shop, they said the battery was still fine, it has a 2007 date sticker on it. Twice in the last year I had an amber battery icon come up when starting, but an overnight trickle charge at 6 amps did the trick.

[WDE82]

Autozone Duralast is made by Johnson Controls. Get one of their Gold H8s.

Our batteries can last super long because they're in the trunk so they don't get too hot and they have the smart charging system. I still replaced mine at 7 years.

[germ]

Originally Posted by Lester

Are you certain it's not 13 years old in July? I also have an '08 (production date Feb 2008), which means it will be 13 years old next month.

Still has the original battery. I trickle charge it overnight once a week as I hardly drive it much- what with Covid and whatnot Pandemic travel restrictions and 'do not visit anyone, anywhere' rules in effect.

The last time I had the car in the shop, they said the battery was still fine, it has a 2007 date sticker on it. Twice in the last year I had an amber battery icon come up when starting, but an overnight trickle charge at 6 amps did the trick.

Darn! I preventively replaced mine after 9 years. If it ain’t broken...

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by Lester

Twice in the last year I had an amber battery icon come up when starting, but an overnight trickle charge at 6 amps did the trick.

That's how it begins! That's a bit more than a trickle at 6A but the writing is on the wall. On mine Comfort Access would quit working, then the battery indicator. I would use a C-Tek "reconditioning cycle" charger and it would be good again for a week or two.

Technically the old battery is still "good" sitting in the garage showing 12.6v without a charge, but apparently not enough for the BMW system.

My wife's 2008 was doing some odd things, too, like a distortion in the Nav screen, that all went away with a new BMW battery to replace the PO's first replacement. I assume the "registration" with my Schwaben reader did what it was supposed to do, but who knows?

[Lester]

Yes, I'm stalling until April when I will spring for a new battery on her 13th dealer prep anniversary. Will probably get plugs and coils done as well. 80,000 kms.

[BikeNHV]

Just an anecdote, my 2009 was running on its original battery for 10 years, 104k miles.

Replaced it preventatively this one and coded with the Foxwell tool:
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...agm/10210828-P

The original never left me stranded, but it was slow to crank sometimes. I didn't want to get stuck somewhere and was worried about excessive wear on the starter. Never tried reconditioning...

I doubt the DieHard will last as long as the OE battery.

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by Lester

Yes, I'm stalling until April when I will spring for a new battery on her 13th dealer prep anniversary. Will probably get plugs and coils done as well. 80,000 kms.

Coils at 80K km? Don't waste your money.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by WDE82

Coils at 80K km? Don't waste your money.

I feel guilty.

[Tommm]

The AGM i bought from Advance just under 3 years earlier went bad in my other car when the alternator died. That was made by JC in germany. The warranty replacement is a die hard made in mexico.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by Lester

I feel guilty.

Meh, I replaced all 6 of mine at 83k miles. I never had a fault code, but every now and then while idling at a stop I would feel a misfire. They're only $145 so not that big of a hit.

[Converted1]

Original battery on my 09 e88, 53K and I usually leave it on the CTEK. Not my DD but an impressive battery life nonetheless. Very rarely, if I do not put it on the charger in the middle of winter, and don’t drive it for 2 weeks I get the message. I also cannot sit with the acc on for very long, maybe 5 minutes before I also get the warning. Changing soon so gathering info here. Probably going to price at the dealer and install myself.

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by Converted1

Original battery on my 09 e88, 53K and I usually leave it on the CTEK. Not my DD but an impressive battery life nonetheless. Very rarely, if I do not put it on the charger in the middle of winter, and don’t drive it for 2 weeks I get the message. I also cannot sit with the acc on for very long, maybe 5 minutes before I also get the warning. Changing soon so gathering info here. Probably going to price at the dealer and install myself.

Yeah your battery is done.

[NorthernDancer]

Originally Posted by Lester

Are you certain it's not 13 years old in July? I also have an '08 (production date Feb 2008), which means it will be 13 years old next month.

Still has the original battery. I trickle charge it overnight once a week as I hardly drive it much- what with Covid and whatnot Pandemic travel restrictions and 'do not visit anyone, anywhere' rules in effect.

The last time I had the car in the shop, they said the battery was still fine, it has a 2007 date sticker on it. Twice in the last year I had an amber battery icon come up when starting, but an overnight trickle charge at 6 amps did the trick.

Yes, 13 yrs in July.
Interesting to see 4 of us have had batteries last over 10 years. So, this July mine will be 13 yrs old and I've never had any indication/icon indicating a low voltage issue. I'll even use my Deltran in summer if I don't drive it often. I only put 3129 kms [1944 miles] on it in 2020.

[jlc45]

My original battery lasted 9 years. It was fine one day, then it died pretty quickly. My car is considered a 2012 135i but it was actually made in early 2011. You have to go by the production date, not the year of the vehicle. In any event, pretty good service.

[Thunderguts]

I'm pretty sure I'm still on my original battery so that's at least 11 years, 7 mos old now.

As much as I complain about all the needless automation in my BMW, it is pretty astounding that they can get 12 years out of a battery. It would just be nice if you could re-code your battery without any additional expense.